Our Project is to raise funds to build a Vocational Skills Centre in Kikangahara, in the Kibaale District, some 140 miles from Kampala. They have a primary and secondary school, but not all children are able to finish education programmes as they have to support their families by working to grow food and carry water quite a few miles. These children then have to leave their homes, most migrating to the large townships where they get lost in the other millions hopelessly trying to find work and ending up in slums.

The local church has donated land to Christian Vision Uganda so we can work at addressing the situation in some small way.  We aim at developing a unique practise of equipping the orphans at school and the youth in skills training, with farming skills while helping them to cultivate their own food and raise their pocket money.  We intend to allocate plots of land to the students and let the grow crops such as beans, maize, vegetables, cassava and fruits either as individuals or in groups. We will provide them with seeds and planting.

Once the Vocational Skills Training Centre has been established, there will be opportunities to learn trades such as motor-mechanics, electrics, brick-laying, IT and tailoring.  In addition we intend to create a market for the finished products made by those in training.  Proceeds from sales will contribute to 40% of the costs needed to keep the Centre running.  Regular appeals for donations and grants will be carried out in order to meet the other 60% of the running costs.

The Vocational Centre will also provide a venue for those groups and organisations who will need to hire space for meeting and seminars.  The Centre will also offer support to women to acquire business acumen needed to prosper.

Central and local authorities, the local community and voluntary agencies all have a role to play in creating a society to which everyone can contribute and from which all can benefit.  The Centre will encourage people to gain pride and dignity by working towards achieving a lifestyle that we are all entitled to.  It will also encourage people who have left the area seeking employment to return to work in Kibaale as tutors, teachers or in local businesses.

While the work has been progressing the local community have planted over 2,000 pine trees to protect the environment and have mobile units addressing HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. The local authority now plan to pipe water to the district and are encouraging other utility companies into the area.

There is so much for us to look forward to.  If you can help in anyway please contact us in the UK.